Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1495163
j a n u a r y • f e b r u a r y • m a r c h 2 0 2 3 c g w 2 5 facebook.com/CGWmagazine @CGWmagazine Immerse yourself in the latest industry news. Your destination for all things CG. Subscribe Today! CGW.com include Marvel films like Iron Man and Fantastic Four, used Xsens technology to transform the Grammy Award-winning rapper into a superhero avatar in the first metaverse comic book: the MEFaverse. The MEFaverse blends art forms – hip-hop culture, gaming, art, and technology – to create innovative ways of entertaining, understand- ing, and expression. Key to this expression is digital depiction. For example, Winbush and Method Man helped transport a wheelchair-bound veteran into the MEFaverse through an avatar, giving voice to a sorely under-represent- ed community in video games. The authenticity of the digital doubles is what people responded to. If Method Man the superhero doesn't move and interact as Method Man the man does in real life, there'd be a sense of dishonesty or cheating. The technology captures behavior, enabling movement to be accurately expressed on screen. Motion print isn't just about how the subject moves and acts, but also how they interact with virtual environments. In the digital world of Roblox, pop duo 21 Pilots demonstrated the value of individuality in a virtual space in their virtual concert. During the recording process, technical advisors Actor Capture noted the value in attributing the movements of 21 Pilots to their avatars. It was essential the way the band moved in Roblox – from the strum of their guitars to the beat of the drums – matched the band's style on stage in real life. Xsens Metagloves by Manus were used to record incredibly accurate data of the band playing their set, which enabled their avatars to interact with the surrounding 3D environment in the same way, maintaining the essence of what keeps 21 Pilots recognizable. beyond the theory, we need to think about how this idea could be practically applied. Once soware interoperability is commonplace, it will be possible to apply the unique assets associated with movement to an avatar within the metaverse. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will be crucial to this development. The rising popularity of skins in Fortnite and Roblox has led brands like Nike and Burberry to adopt virtual fashion. Nike Cryptokicks, co-branded digital sneakers, are a fantastic showcase of this Web3 leap forward. In the same way that you can customize your avatar's look, the data can be used to define its unique motion. Users can apply this to their avatar via the application of an NFT. The result: a unique user experience where the player can interact with the space and others in their own distinctive way. Ultimately, research in the fields of science, technology, and enter- tainment makes this idea possible. Looking forwards, the develop- ment of avatars' individualism – the way they look, speak, and act – is what will help define our identity in the metaverse. Motion print will be an essential tool to establish how we exist in this new digital age. ¢ Remco Sikkema is the Senior MarCom Manager at Movella.